Coogs edge Rice, 54-52, in Dickies Shootout

Coogs shoot 14 for 28 from the foul line but edge Rice

Posted: December 21, 2013 -- 8:08pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) -- The Houston Cougars did just enough to win a hard fought ball game versus crosstown rival Rice Saturday afternoon in first game of the 2013 Dickies Shootout doubleheader. Despite missing 14 free throws (14 for 28), the Cougars won 54-52 over the Owls.

Owls' forward Austin Ramljak nailed 3 L - O - N - G three-point shots during an opening 17-6 run by the Owls before the Cougars knew what them.

But, improved aggressiveness on both ends of the court brought the Cougars back into the ball game. LeRon Barnes tied the game at with a offensive putback.

After a media timeout, Barnes split two free throws to give the Coogs a 21-20 lead; but, seconds later, Max Guercy scored a layup to give the Owls the lead once again.

The game remained nip and tuck during the final five minutes of the first half with two ties and no lead larger than three points.

Houston's senior point guard Jimmie Jones scored the final four points of the half to give the Cougars a 29-27 halftime lead.

The Cougars (8-5) opened the second half with an 8-1 run to lead by nine points (37-28); but, timely three-point shooting by the Owls and  missed free throws by the Cougars kept the game close.

Trailing 45-41, the Owls scored five straight points to lead 46-45 with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Then, Houston junior forward TaShawn Thomas scored a layup plus the free throw on one end and blocked a shot on the other end to preserve a 48-46 lead.

After Thomas split two free throws, with 58 seconds remaining, Houston freshman point guard Jaaron Simmons scored a tough driving layup to put the Cougars up 51-46.

Then, Ramljak resumed his first half three-point prowess with a bomb to cut Houston's lead to 51-49 with less than 40 seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Cougars easily handled the Owls' pressure defense and Thomas scored a layup for a 53-49 with 30 seconds left in the game.

After an Owls' timeout, with 14 seconds remaining, Houston's Brandon Morris stole the inbounds pass. Morris missed both free throws; but, the Owls failed to score on their next possession and had to foul Simmons with 3.9 seconds left on the game clock.

Simmons split the free throws and Ramljak nailed his fifth three point shot of the game at the final buzzer for the 54-52 final score. Ramlak scored a team-high 15 points for the Owls (5 for 9 threes). He was the only Owls' player to score in double figures.

TaShawn Thomas scored a game-high 16 points for the Cougars. Thomas also added 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Morris added 10 points.

Houston improves to 8 and 5 with the win. Their next game will be Tuesday, December 31, versus the Connecticut Huskies in the first conference game for both teams in the new American Athletic Conference. Tip is set for 8 p.m.

The Owls (5-6) next game is December 30, on the road, versus the Texas Longhorns. Tip is set for 1 p.m.

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